By Daniella Winkle, child actor and filmmaker
I am a 10-year-old Kansas native and on August 2nd - 4th I went to Filmmaking Summer Camp for Kids with Texas Made Films at the Buggy Barn Museum where the Pine Moore Old West Studio is located. I’m already planning to make my first film!
The first thing that comes to mind when remembering my experience during that weekend is when I got to use the doorway dolly. I was told that very few kids get close or even learn how to work it. The same day I learned to be the sound person using the recorder, headphones, microphone, pistol grip and boom pole. I also ran the slate, marked the scenes, and learned what MOS on the slate to show that it is a Motor Only Shot, which means no sound needed.
The most important thing to remember is that it all starts with a story.
Special thanks to Samuel Ali, Texas Made Films, Buggy Barn Museum, Charles Weldon Oliver, Jonathan Joshua Gauthier, Anton Savenko, Roneta Davis, Christina Hinton, Elisa Ruiz, and all the people that supported and encouraged us to experience new adventures.
By Devin Deschenes, child filmmaker
I am 8 years old and learned so much at Samuel Ali’s Texas Made films summer camp! It was August 2- 4 at the Buggy Barn Museum/Pine Moore Old West Studio in Blanco.
It is such an awesome place. There are so many cool things to see there, and it was so much fun! I got to write a script, cast actors, and made films. We learned about what it takes to make a film. I learned how to use sound equipment, set up lighting, and work cameras, I even got to be a director!
The kids even got to put our Moms in our film. I have been an actor in other films and have never got to use things like sound microphones, even a door dolly. And they never let us touch the cameras on other film sets! I learned about what things are and how to use them correctly. They told us some movie-making secrets too.
If kids can’t afford to pay for camp, Mr. Ali said they could write an essay about film. Everyone working at camp was super nice too. I even got to ride a horse! This has been the best summer camp ever!!!
